Exclusive: Bournemouth Target Chelsea’s £30m Man Liam Delap In Summer Loan Move

Bournemouth are plotting a loan move for Chelsea’s Liam Delap this summer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Our sources have been told the Cherries have been put on high alert with the news the Blues’ striker is available this summer.

Everton have been linked with a move for the former Ipswich Town hitman and are understood to be early movers for the 23-year-old.

The Toffees are expected to lose Iliman Ndiaye in the summer, whilst Bournemouth top scorer Junior Kroupi is firmly on the radar of a number of ‘big six’ clubs. 

Bournemouth have enjoyed a good working relationship with Chelsea in the past with the likes of Nathan Aké, Christian Atsu and Kepa Arrizabalaga going there on loan over the years.

Delap signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge when he was snapped up for £30million following Ipswich’s relegation back to the Championship last season. 

But the youngster, who missed two months of the campaign with a hamstring injury, has failed to fire for the Blues during his debut season at the club.

He broke his duck for the club in the Champions League against Barcelona in November, but has netted just once in the league as Joao Pedro, a £60million summer signing from Brighton and Hove Albion, has been preferred up front. 

Got Rosenior's Backing

Despite his future at the club being in serious doubt, Liam Rosenior has backed the striker to come good for the Blues.

He said: “If you look at most players and their careers, it’s usually the second season they take off. He’s had some injuries.”

“All strikers want to score goals – that’s why they play the game. But Liam defends from the front amazingly well and so does Joao.”

“That’s the first thing I look for in my strikers – contributing to us winning games of football.”